[image: image.png] Dear Colleagues, The Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague (FISC) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague is pleased to invite you to the „Biological Invasions in Forest“, an Inaugural Symposium <https://forestinvasion.cz/en/r-20694-news-events/r-21107-meeting-2505> that aims to gather an interdisciplinary team of international experts to summarize the current state of scientific knowledge on biological invasions in forests. The objective of the symposium is to cover the breadth of subject matter on forest invasions through a series of invited presentations and use these presentations as a jumping-off point for discussions on future research challenges. Ultimately, the goal of the symposium is to generate discussions that will lead to the development of scientific problems that will be addressed by FISC working groups. We anticipate a formal call for FISC working group proposals this summer but participation in the inaugural symposium is an opportunity for individuals that have ideas for FISC working groups to share these ideas and seek input from others. While symposium attendees are not required to present ideas for working group topics, those that would like to make a brief (5 minute) presentation of their idea are asked to contact FISC leader Andrew Liebhold (*liebhold(a)fld.czu.cz &lt;liebhold(a)fld.czu.cz&gt;*) to schedule their remote presentation during the symposium. *Instructions on how to join the inaugural symposium remotely are available at following link <https://forestinvasion.cz/en/r-20694-news-events/r-21107-meeting-2505>.* *Note: We request that you mute your microphones during presentations, but we welcome you to join the discussions that follow the talks – we suggest that you raise your hand online if you wish to speak* Thanks for your interest in the inaugural symposium and your input on the direction of the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre. Yours faithfully, *Andrew „Sandy“ Liebhold, PhD*FISC Chief Scientist and ERA Chair Holder *Date and time: 6th of May 2025, 12:00 CET – 8th of May 2025, 16:30 CET.* *Venue: *Online/Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czechia *About the Forest Invasions Synthesis Centre, Prague* The widening gap in research capabilities across many EU countries, necessitates measures to accelerate research at institutions in newer member countries and better connect this research abroad. The Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague (FISC) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague seeks an improved understanding of the ecology and management of biological invasions in forests. It is being established through the HIVE project (project no. 101187384) under Horizon Europe, the EU‘s primary funding program for research and innovation. FISC adopts the “synthesis centre” model that focuses on the use of existing data and models to develop new approaches to socio-environmental research. The Centre focuses on biological invasions of plants, insects and tree pathogens in forest and interactions with socioeconomic factors. FISC will host scientific working groups that meet at the Centre to develop collaborations on breakthrough ideas in the field of invasion science. *Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.* [image: image.png] Andrew Liebhold https://forestinvasion.cz/en/r-20696-team Chief Scientist, Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre Faculty of Forestry and Wood Science, Czech University of Life Sciences 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic Phone (US) +01 724-317-8668 Phone (Czech) +420 604-702-808 aliebhold(a)gmail.com liebhold(a)fld.czu.cz